There are many ways of ensuring you never play international cricket again. One is to be not very good. Another is to retire. But the West Indian batsman Daren Ganga might well have unearthed a third: have a pop at Brian Lara, the King of the Caribbean. In a stunningly frank interview with Bhavika Jhaveri for CricInfo, Ganga took his 31-Test career in his own hands by providing the sort of analysis of Lara's character which even Sigmund Freud on one of his grumpier days might have drawn the line at.
"The records show that when he plays, other players struggle," said Ganga, immediately clearing up the mystery as to why West Indies have been so appalling recently. "And I don't think he is much of a team player. A caring sort of attitude is something he can work on and strengthen, in terms of wanting you to do well. I think that when it comes to human relationships, he has a lot to learn."
A large door marked "Test career" slammed shut in the background, but Ganga ploughed on regardless and turned his attention to Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the current captain. "In terms of communication, he falters," he explained. "It's very difficult to lead guys when you can't really let them know exactly what you want them to do, and motivate and lead them as a true leader would." Ah. But surely Daren had some encouraging words for the depleted West Indies side in Sri Lanka? It's unfortunate that a guy like Sylvester Joseph is vice-captain of the team," he reasoned. "No disrespect to him, but to me, that's unfortunate." Unfortunate, Daren. Very unfortunate.
The only thing I might add is that Ganga is actually the captain of the West Indies A side currently playing in Sri Lanka. Poor old West Indies. With this going on and another contract storm blasting its way around the Caribbean causing players like Brian Lara and Ramnaresh Sarwan to be axed, their upcoming series against the Sri Lankans looks like it is going to be another disaster.
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